Ophthalmic mounting



' Sept. 25, 1945 c.'o. COZZENS ETAL 2,385,693 r OPHTHALMIC MOUNT'INGOriginal Filed Feb. 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR CHHRL ES 0.cozzfilvs 50 M9 P 25, 1945- I c. o. COZZENS ET AL I 2,385,693

7 OPHTHALMIC MOUNTING Original Filed Feb/2'7, 1940 2 Sheets-SheetINVENTOR' CHHRLES o. CoZZE/VS ORNE BY cow/71y. I, LHINE Patented Sept.25, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE "Charles 0. 'Cozzens and :EdwardSplaine,

Southbridge, Mass, assignors to American 01)- tical Company,Southbridge,.Mass., a voluntary association of Massachusetts Originalapplication February 27, 1940; Serial No. 321,081. Divided and thisapplication February 26, 1943, Serial No. 477,206

5 Claims.

This invention relates to ophthalmic mountings and has particularreference to an improved construction of mounting.

This application is a division of our copending application Serial No.321, 081 iiled February 2'7, 1940, issued as Patent Number 2,356,148 onAugust '22, 1944.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide anophthalmic mounting of the type having lens supporting rims encirclingthe lenses whereby the said rims will be relatively inconspicuous andsubstantially invisible when in assembled relation with the lenses andto provide a relatively rigd and adjustable supportng structure for saidlenses and rims.

Another important object is to provide an ophthalmic mounting of theabove character with combined lens =supporting rims and relatively longand slender adjustable temple supports shaped to follow substantiallythe upper portions of said rims whereby the said rims will be relativelyinconspicuous .or substantially invisible when in assembled relationwith the lenses and the said temple supports will also be substantiallyinvisible when the mounting is on the face.

0 Another object is to provide -a mounting of the .above character withdivided'lens supporting rims having connecting means adjacent thedivided ends thereof cooperating with a part of the rela- .tively rigidand adjustable supporting structure mounting .of the-above characterwith novel means :for joining the meeting ends of the .divided lens rimsof the mounting and relatively long andslender temple supports havingportions in cooperative relation with end means for join- .ing themeeting'ends-of the lens rims and retain- .ing .said relatively .longand slender temple supports in desired relation with :said rims.

.Another .obzieet is to provide an -=ophthalmic mounting of the abovecharacter with lens supporting means which rclo. not necessitate .the

forming of connection openings in the lenses to provide a relativelyrigid and idurable supporting structure for said lens holding means :andlenses which may be adjusted to the .facial requirements ofdiflieiientthdividnals.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become :apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings and it will be apparent that many changes may be made intheidet'ails of construction :and :anan'gement oi pants shown anddescribed without departingfiiom the spirit of the invention as setforth the accompanying claims. We, therefore, .do not wish to be huntedto the exact .arrangement ozf parts and details of 'constnuction shown:and described as the preferred forms only have been given by way ofillustration.

One ofrthemo'st desirable types of ophthalmic muunti-nags is ;a mountinghaving rim members shaped to fit about the contour edges or the lensesfor supporting said lenses in assembled relation with the mounting. Suchrims, however, in most instances in the past, and in order to obtain thestrength and durability required, were formed of relatively "heavyrim-membera The use of heavy rim members was inherentlynecessa-rybecause of the fact that it has been usual the past to connect theassociated parts or the mounting, such as the bridge members, nose :padsupporting arms and temple supports to the rims. The rims, theretore,had to be sufliciently rigid and durable so as to permanently supportthe parts in adjusted relation with each other. Some attempts have been-made to reduce the crosssectional size of the lens rims. This wouldovercome the bulky appearance of the mounting but, because of thefact-that the associated parts :of the mounting were connected directlyto said rims an exceedingly weak and fragile construc-- tion resulted.

Because of the fact that the associated parts :of themounting, such asthe bridge or nose pad :supporting arms and temple :supporta'weresecured directlyto the rims, 'a'diustment of the :parts 'withoutdistortion 'of the rims was "exceedingly difiicult and such adjustmentswere also greatly limited in scope. 1t,:therefore, isoneioi theprimary-ob- .ziects of this invention to provide an ophthalmic mountingj'havi-ng rlens supporting rims encircling the lenses "whereby the :saidrims maybe reduced in cross-section .sothat when in assembled relationwith the lenses, they will be relatively incon- :sp'icuous and'substantia'lly invisible and to provide 'a supporting structure for said'rimsand One of the advantages of rim type construe: tions is that itavoids the necessity of forming connection openings in the lenses which,inthe:

past, caused a great loss of lenses due to fracture either during theforming of connection openings in the lenses, or during the connectionof lens.

straps to the lenses or due to breakage during use.

Referring to the drawings? Fig. I is a front elevation of an mountingembodying the invention;

Fig; II is a plan view of a mounting illustrated in Fig. I;

Fig. III is a sectional view taken as on line III-III of Fig. I lookingin the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. IVis a fragmentary front elevation of a modified form of theinvention;

Fig. V is a fragmentary perspective view ofth construction illustratedin Fig. IV'showing th parts disunited; a

Fig. VI is a front view of'the arrangement illustrated in Fig. V; A'Fig. VII is an enlarged sectional View taken as on line VII-'VIIof'Fig. IV; a I

ophthalmic side portions to said lugs.

ing nose padflsupporting arms 13 are also se the threaded portion of theconnecting means or screw 1. The lenses are placed in the respectiverims by backing out the connecting means or screw! so as to permit eachrim to be fitted within the groove 2 in the contour edge of the lens.The lugs send 6 are then drawn together by the connection means 1 totightly bind the rim on the lens. A bridge member 9 dering or weldingthe ends l2 of said depending Rearwardly extendcured to the lugsadjacent the connection of the ends 12' to' said lugs. This arrangementleaves the lugs 6'free to separate from the lugs Fig. VIIIis a viewgenerally similar a Fig. IV. r

of a further modification;

Fig. IX is a view taken as on line IXIX of Fig. VIII and looking in thedirection indicated by the arrows; i I

Fig. X is anenlarged fragmentary sectional View taken as on line X X ofFig. VIII;

Fig. XI is a view generally similarto Fig. VIII of a furthermodification;

. Fig. XII is a view taken as on'line XII-XII of Fig. XI looking inthedirection indicated by the a formed throughout the contour edge thereof.

The said grooves 2 are adapted to receive relatively slender lens rims 3which are so dimensioned'as to cross-sectional size as to lie sub-.stantially entirely within the grooves 2 so as to be relativelyinconspicuousjand substantially in:- visible when in assembled relationwith said. lenses. Each of the rims 3 is divided, as illustrated at 4,and the divided ends thereof are provided with lugs 5 and 6 adapted tobacon nected by a screw'or the like "I. The lugs 5 and 6 are eachprovided with a tongue 8 havinga relatively long surface bearing'on theadjacent ends of the dividedlens rims 3. and secured to said rims asibysoldering, welding or the like.

The purpose of the tongues 8 is to increase the area ofconnection'between the rims and the lugs. The said lugs 5 and B havealigned openings therein to receivethe connecting means 1.

The dimension of the opening of the lug 6 is such that the connecting'means or screw 1 may be extended through *saidlug 6 and the bore of theopening inthe lug 5 is threaded so as to receive 5 so as to permit thelenses I to be inserted in the rims 3'. The supporting structure isprovided with relativelylong and slender temple supports l4 which havean end It attached to the nose pad supporting arm l3 and to the lug 5,as illustrated in Fig. III[ The relatively long and slender templesupports l4 are shaped to follow substantially the upper contour edgesof the lenses and are provided without outwardly and rearwardlyextending temple connection ends I! to which suitable temples I8 arepivot-i ally attached, as illustrated at l9; The relatively long andslender temple supports 1.4, as illustrated in Figs. I to-IlIinclusive,are preferably shaped to lie in the rear of the upper contour edge ofthe lens so asto be substantially invisible'when the mounting isviewed'from'the front but it is to be understood that the said supportsE4 may be shaped 'tofollow the-upper contour edges of the-lenses in theplane of said lenses or may be shaped to lie in front ofthe plane ofsaid lenses as desired. The relatively long and slender templesupports Mare formed of bar-like metal having a, much larger. cross? sectionaldimension than the. cross-sectional dimensionrof the lens rim 3 sons tohave in- V may have a portion thereof formed rigid and 7 another portionformed resilient. The con- 'struction is such, that the supportingparts. of the mounting, including the bridge member 9,

' nose pad supporting'arms I3 and relatively long and slender'ternpl'esupports M are all rigidly joined with each other and provide adjustablemeans which has'sufiicient rigidity for'permanently retaining saidadjustments so as to more positively support the lenses in desiredspaced relation with each other. The relatively long and: slender templesupports 44 and temple con nection' ends I! provide means having arelatively wide range of adjustment for supporting the' temples l8 andfor permitting said temples to be adjusted up ordown, or in or out," tomeet "the requirements of the individual for whom the mounting is beingformed; Because of the fact that the temple supports '14 are formedofrelatively rig'idmaterial' as'compared with the lens -I11'I1S 3 andare secured adjacent the connection of the bridge member 9'to the lugs 5any flexing I 7 strain directed to said supports" M will be trans--mittedl'to the bridge!) and will therebyrelieve -the lenses: I? andrims 3 from said strain." The relatively "long and slender temple*supports 1 4,

bridge 9 and associated lugs 5, when in united relation with each other,provide an effectively continuous support throughout the width of themounting. The rims 3, because of their connection with the lugs and 6,afford positive and durable means for retaining the lenses in desiredrelation with the main supporting structure of the mounting. Due to thefact, that the rims have a relatively small cross section and are fittedwithin grooves formed throughout the contour edges of said lenses, theywill be relatively inconspicuous and substantially invisible during use.

The rearwardly extending temple connection ends ll are preferablylocated above the useful field of side vision or above the centers ofthe pupils of the eyes when the mounting is in position on the face ofthe wearer. The central arch portion and depending side portions of thebridge .afiord means of adjustment whereby the distance between thecenters of the lenses may be changed. vThe rearwardly extending nose padsupporting arms l3 provide means whereby the nose bearing pads carriedthereby may be adjusted to fit the nose of the wearer.

In making, assembling and fitting a mounting of the above character tothe requirements of an individual suitable lenses 1 having theprescriptive requirements of the individual are edged to size and shapeand are provided with a peripheral groove 2 substantially centrally ofthe contour edge thereof. The lenses are then secured within the lensrims 3 as set forth above. The bridge member 9 is then adjusted to movethe lenses to desired spaced relation with each' other, as required bythe individual, and to position the lenses in desired aligned relationwith each otheg The relatively long and slender temple supports are thenadjusted to follow substantially the upper contour edges of the lenses.The nose pad supporting arms l3 are then adjusted to fit the nose padsto the nose of the wearer and to support the lenses in desired positionbefore the eyes of the wearer. The temple connection ends I! are thenbent upwardly or downwardly to dispose the temples in a desired angularrelation with respect to the plane of the'lenses when the said templesare extended. The said temple connection ends I! are then bent inwardlyor outwardly to space the temples to the requirements of the individual.

It is to be noted that the adjustment of the nose pad supporting arms l3may be made independently of the bridge, that is, without altering theadjustment of the bridge and the adjustment of the relatively long andslender temple supports i4 and the temple connection ends I! may be madewithout altering the adjustment of the nose pad supporting arms l3. Withthis arrangement, it is not necessary to form any connection openings inthe lenses. Although the assembly of the bridge member, nose padsupporting, arms and relatively long and slender temple supports hasbeen described as being made with the lugs 5, it is to be understoodthat the said assembly may be made with the lug 6 if desired.

In Figs. IV to VII inclusive there is illustrated a modified form of theinvention comprising divided lens rims 2| having connection lugs 22 and23 adjacent the meeting ends of said rims. The

rims 2 i, as shown in Fig. VII, are formed of relatively thinribbon-like material shaped to follow the contour edges of the lenses 24and to extend substantially the full width of said contour edges. Thesaid rimsv 2| are provided with an internal circumferential rib or bead25 shaped to lie within a groove 26 extending throughout thecontouredge-of the lens. The rim 2| is so controlled as to thickness :as to be.substantially invisible when inassembled relation with the lenses. Thelugs 22 and 23 are connected by a screw 21 or other suitable connecting-means known in the art.

The bridge '28 has depending side portions 29 secured to the lugs 22 asby soldering, welding or the like, as illustrated at 30. The sideportions 2-9 extend downwardly, as illustrated at 3|, to form achannellike recess between the edge of the lens and the said depending portion29 in Which the lug 23 is fitted-when the parts are being positioned andsecured when in assembled relation with each-other by the connectingmeans 21.

The ends 3| provide guide means for directing the lug 23 into alignedrelation with the lug 22 when the said lugs are being united by theconnecting means 21. Relatively long and slender temple supports 32simulating the temple supports M are secured to the lugs 22 and each hasan end 33 extending downwardly and shaped to fit within a slot 84 formedin the rear of the lug 23. This also provides guide means for aligningthe lugs with each other when the lenses 24 are being secured within thelens rims 2|. The ends 3|, as shown in Fig. V, providemeans to whichsuitable nose pad supporting arms 35 are attached as bysolderingz'welding or the like. It is to be understood, however, thatthe said nose pad supporting arms 35-may be connected to the lug '22 orto the lug 23 as desired.

In Fig. VIII there is illustrated another modification wherein the lensri-ms36 are formed of relatively thin ribbon-like material having aninternal bevelled lip 31, shown in Fig. X, fitting within a V-shapedgroove 38 formed on the contour edge of the lens. The edges of the rim36, as illustrated at39, are turned inwardly and the lens is providedwith edges 40 shaped to fit said inturned edges 39. It is to beunderstood, however, that the main ribbon-like portions or rims 36 maybe formed flat with the edges of the lenses having a similar flatsurfaceonthe opposed sides of the V-groove 38, if desired. The rims 35 aredivided and are provided adjacent the meeting ends thereof withconnection lugs 4| and 42. The said lugs are secured to the endsbysoldering, welding or the like. The lugs are drawn together byconnecting means, such as a screw or the like 43. The bridge is securedadjacent its opposed ends to the rim 36, as illustrated at 45, as bysoldering. welding or the like and is of the commonly known bar-typebridge. The ends of the bridge are tapered so as to blend with the outercontour surface of the rims. Relatively long and slender temple supports46, shaped to follow substantially the upper contour shape of the rims,are secured as illustrated in Fig. IX to the lug 4-2. The said lug alsohas rearwardly extending'nose pad supporting arms 41 secured thereto. Itis to be noted that the said temple supports 46 and nose pad supportingarms 41 may be secured to the lug 4| if desired. The said relativelylong and slender temple supports 46 are provided with outwardly andrearwardly extending temple connection ends 48 to which suitable temples49 are pivotally attached. The rim 36, in this instance, is formedrelatively thin so as to be substantially invisible and inconspicuousduring use.

In Figs. XI to XIII there is illustrated another modification wherein arim 50 similar to the rim 36 is provided adjacent the divided endsthereof with lugs 5|:and '52. The lug 52 is tapered downversa.

wardly so as-to blend into the contour shape of the rim; The ,said lug52 is provided with a threaded bore to receive the connecting screw orthe like '53. The bridge 54 is secured to the lug and has an end 55extending downwardly and fitting within a slot 56 formed in the rear ofthe lug52. The portion 55 fitting within the slot 56' provides means forguiding the lugs 5| and 52 into alignment with'each other so as to alignthe connection openings therein for the reception of 'thec'onnectionmeans or'screw 53. The relatively' long and slender temple supports 5'!are secured, as illustrated at 58, to the lug 5L The rearwardlyextending nose pad supporting arms 59, similar to the arms 41, 'are alsosecured to the rear of the lug 5|. If desired, the relatively long andslender temple supports 51 .may be senasal'sides thereof, aconnecting'lug adjacent each of the divided end portions, each of saidlugs having a portion disposed in' the plane of the rim and an integralportion disposed inthe rear of the plane of the rim with one of saidlugs having a recess-means for securing said connecting lugs together,relatively long and slender bar-like temple supports each shapedsubstantially to follow the upper contour shape of the lens rims withthe nasal ends thereof con- 7 nected to one of'said lugs and adjacenttheir cured to the nose pad supporting arms 59 or may 7 that the rib,such as'illustrated at or 31, is

to be shaped to fit-said groove. 7

-In all of the'above constructions, the various lenssu-pporting rims areformed so as to be as inconspicuous as possible and yet functionproperly to support the lenses. The relatively long and slender templesupports are formed to permit adjustment and yet rigidly retain theshape to which they are adjusted. The said supports may be formed ofrigid or resilient material or may have a portionthereof formed rigidand another portion formed resilient butin all instances are such thatthey will permit adjustment. Q The or for joining thelens supporting'rimsrmaybe made'of any desired shape or 'designand maybe so constructedas to be adjustable either with the use of rigid or resilient materialsor 'with material having a portion thereofrigid and another portionresilient. 7

It is to be understood that the connecting means forthelens rim may bepositioned at any desired location on the lens rim, depending, ofcourse, upon the characteristics of theconstruction. It is also to'beunderstood that the various difierent constructions of lens jr'imsmay-be used *with any of the supporting structures and vice The generalmethod of fitting applies to all the various constructions set forthabove. It is also to be understood that any knownityp e' ofjconnecting'meansmay be employed, such as the screw, pin.'rivet, solderconnected members, and so forth, to secure the con-.

necting lugs together. Several of the" associated parts may also beformed in integral relation with making, assembling and bridge memberfor-joining the temple supports temporal ends having a portion extendingrearwardly and terminating in a temple hinge connection and a bridgemember secured to one of lugs having a portion disposed in the plane ofV the rim and an integral portion disposed in the rear of the'plane ofthe rim with one of said jlugs having a recess, means for securing saidconnecting lugs together, relatively long and slender bar-like templesupports each shaped substantially to follow the upper contour shape ofthe lens'rims with the nasal ends thereof connected to one of said lugsand adjacent their temporal 'eends having a portion extending rearwardlyand terminating in a temple hinge connection and a bridge'memb'ersecured to one of said lugs and having a portion projecting outwardlyofsaid lug andextendi'ng within therecess of said recessed lug when thesaid lugs are in connected relation with each other, said lug to whichthe bridge is secured having an adjustable nose pad supporting armconnected thereto.

3. Alens supporting structure for the lenses of an ophthalmic mounting,said lens supporting structure comprising lens rims each having an innersurface portion shaped toreceive a respectivelens when assembledtherewith and each hav'-. ing divided end portions adjacent the nasalsides thereof, a connecting lug' adjacent each of the divided endportions of said rims, eachof said lugs having a portion'disposed in theplane of the rim and an integral portion extending rearwardly of theplaneof the rim withone of said' portions lying above the other and withthe lower portion ,havinga' recess therein, means disposed substantiallyin the plane of the rim for securing each other, instead of being formedseparate and joined with each other as by soldering, welding or thelike] .From'the foregoing description, it will be seen thatsimplaeificient and economicalmeans have been providedforaccomplishingall of the ob- 'jects and advantages of theinven'tion, V

, We claim:

1. Asupporting structure for the lenses of an I: ophthalmic mounting"each having a peripheral groove therein, said lens supporting structurecomprising lens rims each having an inner surface portion'shaped'to'lie'within the groove of {.a respective lens when assembled therewithand V e'ach' having; divided end portions adjacentthe said connectinglugs together, relatively long and slender bar-like temple supports eachshaped substantially to follow the upper contour shape of the lens rimswith the nasal ends thereofconnected to the respective rearwardlyextending integral portions of the upper lugs and provided on theirtemporalends with a portion extending rearwardly and terminatingin atemple hinge:

connection and a bridge member secured to the upper lug and having anintegraLportion pro- 7 jecting outwardly of said; lug and extendingwithinthe recess of said recessed lug when thesaid lugs-are inconnected-relation with each other. 4.,A lens supporting structure forthe lensesof 7 an ophthalmic mounting each having, an edge portion ofcontrolled shape, said lens supporting 1' structure comprising lens rimseach shaped to receive said lenses when assembled therewith and eachhaving divided end portions adjacent the nasal sides thereof, aconnecting lug adjacent each of the divided end portions one above theother substantially in the plane of the rims, the lower of said lugsbeing longer than the upper 01 said lugs and shaped to follow thecontour of the adjacent portion of the rim with the lower end thereofblending into the contour of said rim, each of said lugs having anintegral portion extending rearwardly of the plane of the rim with theintegral portion of the lower lug being shorter than said lug in thedirection of the rim and having a recess therein, means disposedsubstantially in the plane of the rim for securing said lugs together,relatively long and slender bar-like members each shaped substantiallyto follow the upper contour shape of a respective lens rim with thenasal ends thereof connected to the upper one of said lugs and havingtemporal end portions terminating in a temple hinge connection and abridge member secured to the upper one of said lugs and having a portionprojecting within the recess of the other of said lugs when the saidlugs are in connected relation with each other.

5. An ophthalmic mounting comprising a pair of lenses each having anedge contour of controlled shape and a lens supporting structure forsaid lenses, said lens supporting structure comprising lens rimssurrounding the lenses with said lens rims having divided end portionsadjacent the nasal sides thereof, a connecting lug adjacent each of thedivided end portions, each of said lugs having a portion disposedsubstantially in the plane of the rim and an integral portion disposedin the rear of the plane of the rim with one of said lugs having arecess, means for securing said connecting lugs together, relativelylong and slender bar-like temple supports shaped substantially to followthe upper contour shape of the lens rims with the nasal ends thereofconnected to one of the portions of said lugs disposed in the rear ofthe plane of the rim and having temporal end portions terminating in atemple hinge connection and a bridge member secured to one of said lugsand having a portion projecting outwardly of said lugs and extendingwithin the recess of said recessed lug.

EDWARD M. SPLAINE. CHARLES O. C'OZZENS.

